Will Smith to issue brief statement after Oscar ban

Will Smith was banned from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years on Friday, two weeks after the actor took the world by storm at a mid-stage ceremony for slapping comedian Chris Rock.

Smith is not allowed to attend any other events organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the next decade.

The board's decision prevented him from revoking the Best Actor award he won for "King Richard" last month or barring him from future Oscar nominations or wins.

"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years with effect from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to participate personally or virtually, in any Academy programs or events, including, but not limited to, the Academy Awards." Will be given," wrote President David Rubin and CEO Don Hudson in a letter.

In a brief statement to Hollywood trade publications, Smith said: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision."

The governors of the Academy, Hollywood's most prestigious group of nearly 10,000 filmmakers who host the Oscars, convened Friday morning to discuss action against Smith.

A meeting of top executives was originally scheduled to discuss whether to suspend or expel Smith, but he resigned from the group beforehand.

Actors do not need to be members of the Academy to receive nominations, although each year's Oscar nominees -- and winners -- are voted on by group members.

"The 94th Oscars was to celebrate the many people in our community who did an incredible job last year," the Academy said in the letter.

It added: "The actions we are taking today in response to Will Smith's behavior are a step toward a greater goal of protecting the safety of our cast and guests, and of restoring confidence in the Academy. We also Let's hope this can start a time of healing and recovery for all involved and affected."

Some called for Smith to be stripped of his Best Actor Oscar, which he had won for his performance in the tennis biopic "King Richard" less than an hour after hitting The Rock on the same stage.

Rock's brother, Kenny Rock, told the Los Angeles Times that Smith "degraded [Chris Rock] in front of the millions of people watching the show."

But snatching Smith's award was considered impossible, as the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Roman Polanski did not rescind their Oscars when they were expelled from the Academy in the wake of sexual harassment scandals.

Traditionally the Best Actor Oscar winner is invited to present the following year's Best Actress award – an honor Smith would not be given.

'unforgivable'

Smith climbed onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock in the face in response to a comic he made about his wife's cut hair.

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a hair loss condition.

The Academy has said that Smith was asked to leave the Oscars Ballroom shortly after the attack.

But that claim was disputed, including by representatives for Smith, and the show's producer Will Packer reportedly asked Smith to remain and accept his statue.

Los Angeles police asked Rock if they wanted to file a report against Smith, but he declined.

"During our broadcast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room," said Friday's letter from the academy's owners.

"For that, we're sorry. It was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, audiences and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short - not prepared for the unprecedented."

The letter thanked Rock for "maintaining his sobriety in exceptional circumstances".

Last week, Smith apologized to The Rock, describing his actions at the Oscars as "shocking, painful and unforgivable," before resigning from the Academy.

Members of the Academy board invited to decide on action against Smith - only the fifth black man to win the film's world's highest individual award for an actor - included Steven Spielberg and Whoopi Goldberg ... AFP